Miscellaneous Extracts of Colonial Wills
From various sources, provided to illustrate the social and familial connectedness of the mainland and island colonies......
Note: if an extract has a phrase such as "of the island of," please insert "Jamaica" for the omitted name as the method of copying did not register highlighted words.....
Extracts of Wills
Page 270.--In the name of God, Amen. I, JOHN CAMPBELL, late of the Island of Jamaica, but at present of New York, being very sick. My debt of œ400 to Mr. Goldsbrow Banyer, and all other debts, to be paid. I leave to my sister, Margaret Campbell, œ1,000; To my three brothers, Archibald, Alexander, and James, I leave œ500 each; To my sister, Catharine McArthur, œ200; To my sister, Ann Campbell, œ200 when married, provided she marries with the approbation of my executors. I leave to my mother, Ann Campbell, œ200; To my cousin, Duncan Campbell, of Kingston, , merchant, œ200. I leave to my three brothers, Archibald, Alexander, and James, the lands I lately purchased of Goldsbrow Banyer in the Province of New York, viz., To Archibald, Lot No. 30; To Alexander, Lot No. 38; To James, Lot No. 36. All the rest I leave to my cousin, Alexander Campbell, of Kingston, . I make Dr. Peter Middleton, of New York, Johnston Fairhaghne, of , and Walter Buchanan, of New York, merchant, executors, and each is to
from The Vassals of New England
Though never a resident of New England, he was the owner of a large tract of land on the banks of the Kennebec, Me. His will, re- corded in Canterbury Court, London, is dated September 20, 1776. He therein styles himself "late of Jamaica, now of Wimpole street, Parish of St. Mary-le-bone, co. Middlesex, Great Britain." His re- mains he ordered to be placed in the vault he had lately caused to be made in the churchyard in that parish, wherein his late wife had been buried. His several plantations in the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, known as Friendship, Greenwich and Sweet River, and also his New England lands, he left in trust to the use of his son Richard, devising them in entail to his issue. Life annuities were to be paid to his dau ghter Elizabeth, widow of the Hon. Maj. Gen. John Barrington; to Hester Deere, his wife's sister; to his daughter Anna Maria Russell and her husband William Henry Russell; and Phoenix Felton, a youth then in the Foundation of Westminster School. His lands in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, he gave to his brother- in-law, John Foster Barham; and sons of his late brothers-in-law, William and Samuel Foster. In default of issue, a portion of his property was entailed upon his nephew Rose Herring May, and is sue, and in default thereof, to the use of the minister and wardens of the parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, for the establishment of a charity school upon his estate there. And finally, he ordered that every person who should come into possession of h is estates should take the surname of Vassall. The will was proved September
Page 122.--In the name of God, Amen. I, MARY MACEY, formerly of the Island of Jamaica, West Indies, but now residing in New York, widow. "My Body to be decently interred at the discretion of my dearly and best beloved nephew, Isaac Wilkins." All debts tobe paid as soon as possible. I leave to Miss Mary Moore, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, of New York, widow, œ20, "to be disposed of as she pleases." I leave to Mrs. Elizabeth Moore œ5 to buy her a mourning ring to wear in remembrance of me. It is my will that my old faithful slave, by name "Skinny," have her freedom and œ10 per annum as long as she lives. All the rest of my houses, lands, negroes, stock, and furniture, in this Province or in Jamaica, I leave to my nephew, Isaac Wilkins, son of my si ster Johana, deceased, who was the wife of Martin Wilkins, Esq., formerly of the Island of Jamaica, but last of New York, deceased. If he dies, then I bequeath the same to Mrs. Isabella Wilkins, wife of my said nephew, Isaac Wilkins, and daughter of Lewi s Morris, Esq., late Judge and Commissary of the Court of Admiralty in this Province. If she dies under age and without issue, then I leave the same "to the Rector of Trinity Church, the estate to be sold and the money divided among the most deserving Po /
from The Bathhursts of Virginia:
To the foregoing may be added what I have been able to obtain of Lancelot, fifth son of Sir Edward Bathurst, and his family in America. He is supposed to have arrived in Virginia about the year 1683. The records of the Virginia Land Office show the following grants of land to him: To Lance Bathurst, 1200 acres in New Kent county, April 16th, 1683, Book 7, page 269; to same and Edward Chilton, 850 acres in same county, November 16th, 1683, page 349; to Lancelot Bathurst 600 acres, November 16th, 1683, page 349; 5000 acres, October 20th, 1687; all in New Kent. In 1688, he was Clerk of the Committee of Private Causes in the House of Burgesses; Clerk of the Committee of Examination of the Records, in 1689. (See Calender of State Papers, Palmer, I, 22.) He was High Sheriff of New Kent county in 1698, as appears from the following extract from the Vestry book of St. Peter's Parish in that county:--"Capt. Lancelot Bathurst high sheriff of this county is ordered to collect from each tithable inhabitent in this parish forty fower pounds of tobacco to defray the parish charges. Oct. 3d. 1698." This Lancelot Bathurst probably returned to England and died there, as did many of the early immigrants. It is not known who his wife was. If his descendants settled in Jamaica , some of them, at least, returned to Virginia at a very early day, and it is highly possible that Burke is mistaken when he says that any of them settled in Jamaica*. The genealogy of Lancelot Buthurst's family is continued in America as follows: (26) Lancelot6 Bathurst, who came to Virginia, in 1683, and who was fifth son of Sir Edward5 Bathurst, first baronet, and his second wife, Susan Rich, had issue: etc.\
*Note: They did settle in Jamaica!
From Extracts of Wills.
Page 171.--In the name of God, Amen. I, THOMAS TRUXTON, of Jamaica, in Queens County, Gent., "being of perfect and sound mind, Blessed be God for his mercies, but being bound out on a voyage to parts remote beyond the Seas, and knowing the Dangers and perils, as well thereof as of the Enemies, and also the uncertainty of Life." "I leave to my son, Thomas Truxton, born of the body of my late most valuable, dear and affectionate wife, Sarah Truxton," all my estate in this province, in cash, bonds, plate, etc. If he dies under age, I give all his estate to my two sisters, Sarah Frances and Elizabeth Truxton. As to the estate to which I may be entitled in the Island of Jamaica, West Indies, or in England or elsewhere, I leave to my said son 1/2 (except such sums as may be due from Hon. Philip Pinnock, Esq., which I give to my two daughters). I make my esteemed friend, Mr. John Troup, of Jamaica, Queens County, executor.
Dated November 18, 1761. Witnesses, James Cebra, Nehemiah Denton, Thomas Hinchman. Proved, October 18, 1765.
¶From Abstracts of Wills vol. 5:
Page 438.--In the name of God, Amen. I, WILLIAM TROTTER, of Elizabethtown, New Jersey, being sick. I leave to my brother, John Cavalier Trotter, all my farm and mill and a piece of wood land a small distance therefrom, situate in Essex County, and he is to maintain his aunt Hannah during her life, and decently interred after her death, And when my said brother is of age he shall pay to the Church Wardens of St. John's Church in Elizabethtown œ100. I leave to my cousin, William Dickson, Sr., my 1/5 of œ200 left to me by the will of Mr. John Dickson, of the Island of , in the West Indies. I leave to my sisters, Catharine, Sarah, and Elizabeth, all my Plantation and negroes in the Parish of St. Anthony, , West Indies. I make my friend, John Troup, of New York, executor. October 17, 1759. Witnesses, Alexander Colden, Archibald Lewis, Carey Ludlow. Proved, November 1, 1759.
P Page 50.--In the name of God, Amen. I, SINYA DE TORES, late of in the West Indies, widow, being infirm and weak of body. I bequeath to the Treasurer of the Synagogue in New York, œ5. "I direct that my body be decently buried according to the manner of the Jews." I leave to the Poor of the Synagogue of Kingston, in , œ5; and to the poor of my nation in New York, œ5. I leave to my brother, Samuel De Selua, œ5. I leave to my niece, Rebecca de Selua, daughter of my brother Samuel, one negro girl to the value of œ15, to be purchased by my executors. I leave to my niece Rachel, daughter of my brother, Joshua De Selua, one negro girl to the value of œ15, to be purchased by my executors. To my niece, Sinya de Selua, daughter of my brother Joshua, a negro girl. All the rest of my estate, real and personal, I leave to my grand son, Moses Gomez, son of David Gomez, of New York, merchant. If he should die before coming of age (which God forbid) then to my son David Gomez. I make my son David, and my grand son Moses, executors. Dated February 16, 174 2/3. Witnesses, David Gomez, Daniel Bontecou, Samuel Burling. Proved, November 13, 1746.
Abstract of Wills Vol 3
Page 24.--Will of Uriah Hyam, now resident of New York, chandler. I leave to my brother Enoch, now living in Bohemia, œ20. I leave to the youngest son of my son, Andrew Israel, who now lives in the Island of Jamaica, my negro boy. I leave to the Congregation of the Children of Israel, here in New York, œ6. All the rest of my estate I leave to my son, Andrew Israel, of the Island of Jamaica. I make my son, Andrew Israel, and Jacob Frankes and Mordecai Gomez, of New York, executors. Dated November 1, 1740. Witnesses, Joseph Simson, David Machado, Jonathan Isaacs. Proved, January 14, 1740. Andrew Israel being absent, and the other executors having resigned, Letters of administration are granted to Abraham Isaacs and Joseph Simson, as principal creditors.
Abstracts of Wills Vol 3 1730-1744
Page 199.--I, Robert Hunter, Esq., Captain-General and Governor of , W. I., do certify that JOSEPH MAXWELL, Esq., who hath attested the annexed instrument in writing as a true copy of the will of Theophilus Rogers, of the Island of Jamaica, is Secretary and Notary Public.
Page 200.--In the name of God, Amen. "I, THEOPHILUS ROGERS, of the Island of Jamaica, merchant, being mindful of the dangers of those whose business obliges them to use the seas; and being myself obliged to go a voyage to sea," I leave to my executor, Alexander Campbell, œ20 to buy mourning. I leave to Mrs. Judith Lyne, a ring to the value 4 pistoles, or the money. I leave all the rest of my estate to my wife, Margaret Rogers, of Barkhampstead in England. Mentions children (but not named). Done at Port Royal, December 16, 1728. Witnesses, John Gibson, Daniel Campbell. Proved, March 12, 1729. G8ąG
Page 351.--In the name of God, Amen. I, NICHOLAS FLANDERS, late of Kingston in the Island of Jamaica, Planter, but now in New York, being sick. My body is to be buried at the discretion of my son in law, William Crow. I leave all my lands, negro slaves, and personal property to my two grand children, Thomas Flanders Crow and Ann Crow, the children of my daughter by her husband, William Crow. I appoint William Crow, of New York, and Geoffry Williams, of , executors. Dated September 20, 1726. Witnesses, Hannah Jarratt, Arthur Horsman, Abm Lodge. Proved, October 8, 1726.
Abstracts of Wills Vol 2
Page 527.--ANDREW DUANY. Be it known unto all men, that whereas I, Andrew Duany, late of the Island of Jamaica, but now of Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, merchant, did some time in the month of April last make my last will and testament in . I, the said Andrew Duany, do by these presents confirm the same. And I do bequeath to my son Andrew Duany all my negroes, goods and merchandizes in the Province of Pennsylvania, or in any other part of the north continent of America. And my executors are to sell the same, and after all debts and funeral expenses are paid, they shall invest the remainder in goods and ship them to one of the English Islands, in the West Indies, and they shall remit the proceeds to my brother Owen Duany in Sligo, Ireland, in trust for my son. I also leave to my son Andrew 2/3 of the sloop "Michael." And when the sloop shall arrive at any port in America, my executors shall receive 2/3 of the profits of the voyage, and they shall fit out my share of the vesell, and send her on such voyage as they see best until they hear from my brother Owen, whose orders shall be obeyed. I leave to my wife the gold rings, ear rings, and small jewels which are in my chest, and they are to be sent to my wife or to Mrs. William Rowlins for her use. I appoint Edmund Kearny and Michael Booth executors. Dated March 10, 170 8/9. Witnesses, Nathaniel Sykes, Hugh Graham, Thomas Adams, Peter Bird. Proved at Philadelphia, March 30, 1709, and confirmed by Lord Lovelace, April 29, 1709. F
Abstracts Vol II
Whereas I, Elias Nezereau, of the Island of Jamaica, but now of the city of New York, merchant. I do hereby confirm my will made in the Island of Jamaica, dated August 26, 1707, Thomas French and William Higgins being two of the witnesses, and which I have put in the hands of Daniel Gautier, of said Island, merchant. And as a codicil I leave to my kinsman, Francis Vincent, of New York, sail maker, my large canoe and its appurtenances. I leave to John Barbarie and Paul Droilett, my friends, œ50, for the benefit of the Poor of the French Congregation in New York. I leave to Samuel, Ezekiel, and Sarah Davids, children of Jean Davids, Sr., œ10. To Anne David, daughter of Jean David, vintner, œ10. Mentions Jean David son of Jean David. Dated March 28, 1709. Witnesses, Abraham Juineau, John Poland, Abraham Gouverneur. Proved before Lord Lovelace, April 6, 1709.
Abstracts, Vol I
øPage 290.--Richard, Earl of Bellomont, Governor, &c. Whereas JOHN STOUT, late of Jamaica, died while on a voyage from to New York, on board the Sloop "Content," Captain Luke Gall, Commander, Letters of administration are granted to Thomas Wenham of New York, his trustee, April 20, 1699.
Page 290.--Captain Wendham, Sir. This comes to advise you that I not having my health in was a coming to New York in hopes that the air might do me good. But God who is the Ruler and Sovereign of all things, has been pleased to lay his hand upon me to this degree that I am exceedingly weak. Also a great mistake for in coming away in haste left all my papers and accounts behind. Sir, I desire you at the arrival of the Ship "Content," Captain Luke Gall, Commander, with the cargo, that you will make all dispatch you can to returne here to . Also here is more goods that I have ordered into your hands, as follows. Spices, Sole leather, 100 hides, Muscovado Sugar, 7 Hogsheads, 100 dozen of Lamp black, 3 bags of money, 53 Spanish pistoles, 1 small cask of old pewter. In the three bags are contained 1,200 pieces of 8, weighty money. Sir, my will and order is that you will first sell three quarters of the Ship upon my account; the Commanders privilege excepted. Sir, Pray supply the Commander with what money he has occasion for and you will oblige me. John Stout.
Abstracts Vol XV Page 309.--SAMUEL PELL, late of New York, North America Merchant, but at present at Port au Prince in the Island of Hyspaniola; I desire my body may be interred as privately as may be and out of respect for my early education I wish it to be at New Bridge in Jersey; after my just debts and funeral charges are paid I give to my daughter, Maria Pell at present of Port au Prince but late of Jamaica in the West Indies all my estate; for her sole use and benefit forever; it is my wish that my daughter be educated in North America; I give power to my executors to sell any part of my estate should it be necessary for the support and education of my daughter--I appoint Brister Bryan Esq--at present of Port au Prince, but late of Jamaica in the West Indies and William Bryan, Esq. Merchant of Kingston, Jamaica, executors. Dated October 20, 1796. Witnesses William Hunt, Samuel Albony. Proved September 13, 1800, when Joshua Pell, jr., and Belthazer P. Melick identified the hand writing of the testator. The witnesses do not reside in the United States. The executors named in the will reside "beyond the seas," and William Pell, brother of the testator, was appointed to administer the estate.
Abstracts Vol. XV G Page 154.--PHILANTHROPOS CLAJON, of the Parish of Westmoreland and County of Cornwall and Island of Jamaica ,Planter; my executors will as soon as possible after my decease purchase and manumize two mulatto children belonging to King's Valley Estate the property of Richard Lord Penrhyn; named Barbary and Sally, children of a negro woman named Burny, provided they can be purchased for œ100 sterling each and that they shall be sent by the first careful conveyance at the discretion of my executors to the care of Mistress Barbara Riley now living in the State of Pennsylvania; in case of her decease to Mistress Sarah Hill Gardner, (my cousins now living in the State of Georgia in United States of America) whom I constitute joint Guardians to the two aforesaid children; it is my earnest wish and request to both of my cousins that they pay every care and attention to the aforesaid children for whose support and maintenance I bequeath three of my best Bank shares now in the Bank of the State of New York of five hundred dollars each to remain in said Bank forever; the interest arising therefrom to be appropriated to their support and education for their natural lives and to the survivor of either of them and to their heirs forever; in case both children die without issue then the three shares to be the sole property of Clajon Riley eldest son of my aforesaid cousin Barbary Riley; to my cousin Sarah Hill Gardner œ500 current money of Jamaica--the remainder of my property to my cousins Thomas Hodgkin and Barbary Riley to be equally divided between them; a present statement of my affairs is here annexed--Cash upon interest in the hands of John Dow Esq--as per account settled last year œ404, 18s Thomas Johnston of Hanover, Planter, his note now in my possession for a horse, œ45. Robt Thompson Esq. of Savannah his note in John Dows hands for to receive payment for me being cash he had to receive from me œ89 currency. Mr. Woollery at Midgham, his letter in my possession promising payment for a horse sold him œ50 currency; in New York Bank, eleven shares of five hundred dollars each purchased in my name for me by Messrs. Ricketts, Merchants of New York; two Bonds of the Right Honorable Richard Lord Penrhyn for œ18030 each to be given by Julines Hering Esq for payment of negroes sold to Lord Penrhyn's King's Valley Estate payable August 1, 1797--the other the year following; my salary from King's Valley Estate to date of this Will at œ200 currency pr. Annum from May 18th last Isaac Lyons bond now in suit for which I have Henry Ruddick's receipt for œ60 currency, the above is what at present I am possessed of--I owe the following--To John Dow Esq œ38 for his account and a small account to Doctor Drummond. I have in addition to what is mentioned above œ70 current money cash in my chest; and my watch, sword and pistols, I bequeath to my cousin Thomas Hodgkin--I appoint--John Dow, Esq. Merchant and my cousin, Thomas Hodgkin, Planter both of Parish of Westmoreland Island of Jamaica. Dated March 15, 1797. Witnesses James Jones, William Dunn, James John Hopper. Proved August 22, 1797. Joseph Oldfield and James Potter were appointed to take an inventory of the estate. Thomas Hodgkin was the surviving executor.
snip.
Archibald McNeil was successfully engaged in the trade with the West Indies, in partnership with Samuel Cook (who was named as executor of his will), and was owner and supercargo of the ship "Peggy and Molly". He died in the island of Jamaica in the latter part of 1752 (see "Connecticut Colonial Records", vol. X, p. 577), and his will was probated in July, 1753, by his widow, who was placed under bond of three thousand pounds sterling, indicative of a very considerable estate for those times. He marriedMary, daughter of Rev. Samuel and Abigail (Whiting) Russell and widow of Benjamin Fenn. She was born in 1708. Her father, Rev. Samuel Russell, was one of the founders of Yale College. Issue: Archibald, born September 20, 1736, see below; Charles, baptiz ed January 18, 1739; Charles, baptized November 1, 1741; John, born August 2, 1745, baptized August 4, 1745; removed to Armenia precinct, Dutchess county, New York; Samuel, baptized October 9, 1748, of Litchfield, Connecticut
In the time of the last chief of the clan MacFarlane who was laird of Arrochar .... war broke out between America and Great Britain. MacFarlane was heavily taxed and was also deeply in debt. His family had been reared in luxury. Gambling with cards was then considered respectable. He entertained with a princely hospitality that the revenues of the estate could not support. He sold an estate that he owned in Jamaica for œ8000, but could not avert the threatened ruin, and in 1784 .... the barony of Arrochar, which for six hundred years had been in the possession of the MacFarlanes, passed into the hands of strangers
Note: The previous text has been provided to illustrate the mobility and interconnectedness of the European Plantations of North America in the Colonial Period....the extracts are intentionally incomplete to avoid copyright violations...(cmc99)
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